Kids' Corner

Newbery and Caldecott Awards 2008

Every January a very exciting event takes place:  the announcement of the Newbery and Caldecott Award winners.  This year the awards will be on January 14.  It’s fun to try and anticipate which picture books and children’s novels will win; here are some titles I think have a good chance of getting a medal or being named an Honor Book:

The Newbery Medal

(for outstanding writing in a book for children up to age 14)

Jack Plank Tells Tales  by Natalie Babbitt
The newest book by the author of Tuck Everlasting, this relates the efforts of an unemployed pirate to find work.  Grades 3 – 6

Elijah of Buxton  by Christopher Paul Curtis
Slavery is seen through the eyes of the first-person narrator, an 11 year old boy who was the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada. Set in 1859.  (The author won the 2000 Newbery Medal for Bud, Not Buddy.)  Ages 9 – 12

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E.L. Konigsburg
Humor, mystery, and tragedy are woven through this fascinating story involving the friendship of two precocious 6th grade boys.  (The author has won two Newbery Awards: in 1968 for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and in 1997 for The View from Saturday!)  Grades 5 – 8

The Invention of Hugo Cabret  by Brian Selznick
This unique novel in words and pictures, set in 1930’s Paris, at times resembles a silent movie.  It’s also a possible Caldecott Medal winner!   Ages 9 – 12

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree  by Lauren Tarshis
A close up look at the everyday dramatic problems of middle school, centered around totally logical Emma-Jean and her developing friendship with Colleen.  Grades 5 – 7

Caldecott Medal

(For the best American picture book of the year; the award goes to the illustrator)

Today and Today   by Kobayashi Issa
Illustrator Brian Karas has chosen 22 of his favorite haiku poems by the 18th century Japanese Issa, and magically brings them to life.  Ages 4 – 8

Henry’s Freedom Box  by Ellen Levine
Based on the true story of an escaped slave in 1849, who mailed himself to freedom.  Kadir Nelson’s powerful mixed-media illustrations make readers feel they are inside the story. Grades 2-5

Little Night   by Yuyi Morales
Mother Sky is trying to prepare Little Night for bedtime,  but Little Night only wants to play.  The gorgeous, rich illustrations perfectly complement the lovely text.   Preschool – Grade 1

Pictures From Our Vacation   by Lynne Rae Perkins
A realistic and humorous look at a family’s summer vacation, complete with hand-drawn maps, “photos”, and lovely watercolor illustrations.  (The author/illustrator won the Newbery Award in 2006 for Criss Cross.)  K – Grade 4

Leaves   by David Ezra Stein
A young bear, in his first year, is so concerned when the leaves start falling from the trees that he tries to put them back on . . .but eventually he understands.  Delightfully simple text and illustrations make this a gem of a book.  Ages 4 - 8

If you’d like to find out the winners on January 14, go to www.ala.org/alsc

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

Ellen Xydias
Children’s Librarian